Willie Nelson scored a 10-round unanimous decision over Luis Grajeda in a Jr. Middleweight bout at the Churchill County Fairgrounds in Fallon, Nevada.

Nelson used his long size to box well on the outside. He did get caught and hurt on occasion from a nice uppercut from Grajeda.

Nelson, 154 3/4 lbs of Cleveland, OH won by scores of 98-92 on all cards and is now 23-1-1. Grajeda, 154 3/4 lbs of Mexico is now 17-3-2.

Jason Escalera defeated his 2nd consecutive undefeated opponent by scoring a 8-round unanimous decision over Norbert Nemesapati in a Super Middleweight bout.

Nemesapati rocked Escalera seconds into the fight with a hard right. Escalera returned the favor in round two as he landed hard right of his own and later in the round connected on a flush uppercut. In round three, Escalera dropped Nemesapati with a body shot. Escalera was never challenged and went on to win by scores of 79-72, 78-72 and 78-83.

Escalera, 168 lbs of Union City, NJ is now 15-2-1. Nemesapati, 165 lbs of Hungary is now 14-1.

Zhang Zhilei scored a dubious 1st round stoppage over Curtis Tate in a scheduled 4-round Heavyweight bout.

Zhilei dropped Tate with a left to the shoulder and Tate went down like a ton of bricks at 17 seconds of round one.

Zhilei is 1-0 with 1 knockout. Tate is now 7-5.

New York, NY / Fallon, NV (7/30/14) – Next Friday night, DiBella Entertainment (DBE) heads to Fallon, NV, for that week’s edition of ESPN Friday Night Fights. Headlining the card will be top-rated junior middleweight world-title contender Willie Nelson (22-1-1, 13KO’s) squaring off against hard-hitting Mexican Luis Grajeda (17-2-2, 13KO’s).

The co-feature pits DBE/Jean Pascal Promotions’ newly signed Hungarian teenage phenom Norbert Nemesapati (14-0, 13KO’s) making his US debut when he takes on fellow knockout artist Jason Escalera (14-2-1, 12KO’s) in an intriguing eight-round super middleweight co-feature.

Nemesapati was originally scheduled to face fellow undefeated super middleweight Lennox Allen, but Allen suffered an injury to his ribs in training, forcing him to pull out of the contest. While the injury and subsequent change of opponent was unfortunate, the confident 18-year-old took the change-up in stride.

“This is part of boxing, things like that happen all the time. I am focused on winning and doing so in impressive fashion. When I first found out that I would be fighting on ESPN, I really picked up the intensity in my training. I am totally 100% focused on the task at hand. Allen or Escalera, it didn’t matter to me, the outcome was going to be the same, with me coming out victorious,” said Nemesapati.

If anything, Nemesapati is somewhat excited about the change in opponent as he feels that his style mixed with Escalera’s will produce fireworks in the ring.
“Escalera is a come-forward brawler and I love that. I won’t have to look for him, he will meet me right in the center of the ring and we are going to fight toe-to-toe. I love these types of fights. This is going to be a very exciting fight from the moment the bell rings and the fans are going to love it.”

After winning a four-round unanimous decision in his pro debut, Nemesapati has stopped 13 consecutive opponents and when asked if he thinks Escalera will be number 14, like his boxing style, Nemesapati was straight forward with his answer stating, “Yes, that is the plan.”

The WBC Youth super middleweight champion Nemesapati got his start in boxing and kickboxing when he was 10 years old, after watching the greatest boxer ever to come out of his country, former two-division world champion Zsolt Erdei, who was also a member of the DBE roster. After a short-but-successful amateur boxing and kickboxing career, Nemesapati made his jump into the pro ranks in May 2012 at just 16 years of age. Nemesapati has quickly made a name for himself in his native Hungary, having fought five times in 2012, seven times in 2013, and already three times this year. He has many people, including Erdei, seeing a world championship in his future, something with which Nemesapati certainly agrees.

“This is a dream come true for me to be making my US debut on ESPN, and I am so thankful to Lou (DiBella) for providing me with this opportunity, but this is only the beginning. There is no doubt that Lou and my team around me will bring me to a world championship within three years. I am the present and the future of the 168lb. division, and everyone will see that come next Friday night.”

ESPN will begin live coverage at 9p.m. ET on ESPN2, broadband Spanish-Language ESPN Deportes and WatchESPN.

Opening up the card will be the highly anticipated pro debut of China’s 2008 Olympic Games silver medalist Zhang Zhilei, in a four-round heavyweight special attraction.

The card is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Let’s Get It On Promotions, in association with Rumble Time Promotions, King Sports, Jean Pascal Promotions, Dynasty Boxing and Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing.

Tickets are currently on sale and are priced at an extremely affordable $27 ringside and $12 general admission ticket price. Special VIP tables are also available for purchase at $500. The VIP tables accommodate seating for eight guests at ringside and include a complimentary bucket of beer, executive suite restrooms, cocktail service, dedicated full service bar, food station and a Fallon Fights souvenir for each guest. Advance tickets can be purchased by calling (775) 423-4556 or by visiting the Fallon Convention Center or NAS Fallon MWR. You can also purchase tickets by emailing info@visitfallonnevada.com

WORCESTER, MA (October 4, 2012) – Fresh off his thorough destruction of previously unbeaten Jason Escalera last Saturday night on HBO Boxing After Dark, undefeated Dominican dandy Edwin “La Bomba” Rodriguez (22-0, 15 KOs) is targeting world champions and top 10 contenders in the super middleweight division.

The only problem for Rodriguez last Saturday evening was getting glitter from Escalera’s trunks off his face.

“I’m ready to fight the best at 168-pounds,” Rodriguez said. “I wanted to make a major statement in my last fight and did. I’ve feel that I’ve earned a world title shot. I trust my promoter, Lou DiBella, and manager, Larry Army, to get my world title shot as soon as possible. I’ll fight anybody they put in the ring with me, whether it’s a world champion, or a top contender. My time is now.”

Having gained invaluable experience sparring with the likes of past and present world champions such as Carl Froch, Chad Dawson, Daniel Geale, and Jean Pascal, the 27-year-old Rodriguez has developed into a complete fighter in the past year working with head coach Ronnie Shields in his last four fights.

The super middleweight division is still somewhat muddled. World Boxing Council (WBC)/World Boxing Association (WBA) World champion Andre Ward is clearly the contemporary King who has options to pick-and-choose his next opponent. However, if the WBC strips him for also being the WBA champion, something that governing body has threatened to do, Rodriguez could be involved in a box-off as the No. 3 contender along with relatively unknown Nikola Sjekloca ranked No. 1, one spot ahead of veteran Sakio Bika.

International Boxing Federation (IBF) title-holder Froch has his dance card full with a title defense November 17 vs. Yusaf Mack, followed by a contractually required rematch in the spring with the former champion he defeated for the crown, Lucian Bute, and later next year a mandatory against the winner of the October 12th IBF title eliminator between Adonis Stevenson and Donovan George. (Rodriguez defeated George this past March by 10-round unanimous decision for the United States Boxing Association championship.)

Therefore, the most likely title shot opportunity for Rodriguez, at least in the immediate future, is December 15 against World Boxing Organization (WBO) champion Arthur Abraham in Germany.

“We’re confident in traveling to Germany to fight Abraham,” Rodriguez’ manager Larry Army remarked, “as long as it’s broadcast in America in case there’s questionable judging. We believe Edwin is ready right now to face any of the world champions. If we’re unable to secure a world title shot, we want to fight the best available top 10 contender like Jermain Taylor or Kelly Pavlik, and even Andy Lee would make for a good fight.

“Edwin has fought three B+ fighters in his last three fights – (Will) Rosinsky, George and Escalera. Edwin is always looking to challenge himself and he’s approaching his peak. He is ready to make his mark in the super middleweight division.”

Rodriguez is rapidly building a strong following, too. He’s also rated No. 4 by the IBF and No. 8 by the WBA, as well as No. 9 by The Ring Magazine, in addition to fighting seven times on national television: twice on HBO (headlining Boxing After Dark once vs. Escalera), three times on Showtime (twice in the ShoBox main event), and twice on ESPN Friday Night Fights.

His last six opponents had an accumulative record of 96-7-3 when they stepped into the ring to face Rodriguez. What’s missing from his boxing resume is a world title and/or victory against a top 10 contender.

Rodriguez represents the future of the super middleweight division. If he’s offered the Dec. 15 title fight against Abraham, the future could come sooner rather than later.

Follow Edwin Rodriguez on Twitter @labombaboxing.

Edwin Rodriguez remained perfect by administering a one-sided beat down of prebiously undefeated Edwin Escalera in round eight of a scheduled ten round Super Middleweight bout at the MGM at Foxwoods in Connecticut.

Rodriguez came out in round one pounding Escalera all over the ring. Escalera lost his mouth piece twice but it was the least of his problems as he ate about fifty power shots in the round and a case could have been made for referee Steve Smoger to intervene in the first stanza. Rodriguez continued to box and win round’s. Rodriguez went after Escalera in round four and drilled him with hard right in the fifth that buckled Escalera.

The rout continued until referee Steve Smoger stopped the drubbing twelve seconds into round eight.

Vic Darchinyan resurrected his career by scoring a ten round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Luis Del Valle in a Super Bantamweight fight.

Darchinyan proved that experience over Del Valle was a big factor as he pounded Del Valle for most of the thirty minute affair. Del Valle should get credit for determination but Darchinyan landed punches from all angles and to all parts of Del Valle. Del Valle made a brief rally in round nine when he landed a right that rocked Darchinyan.

Darchinyam of Sydney, Australia won by scores of 99-91, 99-91 and 96-94 and is now 38-5-1. Del Valle, 122 lbs of Bayamon, PR is now 16-1.

Antonin DeCarie scored a sixth round stoppage over Alex Perez in a scheduled ten round Welterweight bout.

DeCarie worked the body and head and was doing very well mixing up the punches. In round six, DeCarie landed a vicious left that wobbled Perez and a subsequent right hand put Perez down. Perez was shaken and ate about five more flush right hands that forced referee Danny Schivone to stop the bout at 2:54 of round six.

DeCarie, 147 lbs of Montreal is now 27-1 with eight knockouts. Perez, 146 lbs of Newark, NJ is now 16-1.

NEW YORK, NY (September 26 2012) This Saturday night, SEPTEMBER 29, undefeated super middleweight prospect Jason “Monstruo” Escalera will challenge world ranked and fellow undefeated Edwin
“La Bomba” Rodriguez in the HBO Boxing after Dark, “Road To Glory” televised ten round main event at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods in Mashantucket, Connecticut.

The 27-year-old Escalera, 13-0-1 (12KO’s), fighting out of Union City, New Jersey, has become a must-see attraction in the New York area with his show-stopping knockouts.

Most recently the heavy-handed Escalera faced Nick Brinson on MAY 18 at the Times Union Center in Albany, NY. In the ESPN Friday Night Fights eight round battle, Escalera aggressively pursued and battered Brinson seemingly winning an easy decision, however the three judges scored the bout a draw. In his six previous starts, Escalera had won each bout by knockout.

“Jason is exactly the type of fighter that HBO wants on their broadcasts. He’s exciting, he always comes to fight, and he has concussive power in both hands” said Joe DeGuardia of Star Boxing. “Jason is prepared to take the fight right to Rodriguez from the opening bell this Saturday night. This is a great opportunity and he is very confident and prepared to take advantage of it.”

Also 27-years-old, Rodriguez, 21-0-0 (14KO’s), of Worcester, Massachusetts, is coming off his career best win, a ten round unanimous decision over world ranked contender Donovan “DA Bomb” George on MARCH 17 at Madison Square Garden which was broadcast on HBO World Championship Boxing as the co-main event to the Sergio Martinez/Matthew Macklin world middleweight title bout.

Rodriguez is currently ranked #3 by the WBC, #4 by the IBF and #8 by the WBA.

“Road to Glory” is the highly anticipated HBO Boxing After Dark tripleheader, featuring some of the brightest young fighters in all of boxing looking to continue on their paths toward their respective world championships. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased through the Foxwoods box office by calling 1 (800) 200-2882. Tickets are priced at $45, $75, $100 and $200.

HBO Boxing After Dark has a broadcast time this Saturday night of 9:30PM ET/PT.

CONTACTS:

Kevin Rooney, DiBella Entertainment: (212) 947-2577, kevin@dbe1.com

Bob Trieger, Full Court Press, (978) 664-4482, bobtfcp@hotmail.com

Kevin Flaherty, HBO: (212) 512-5052, Kevin.Flaherty@hbo.com

Dale Wolbrink, Foxwoods Resort Casino: (860) 312-1429, dwolbrink@foxwoods.com

Media Credentials:

Shannan McNair, Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation Public Affairs: (860) 396-6727, smcnair@mptn.org

ABOUT STAR BOXING:

Star Boxing, Inc. has been in operation since1992. Star Boxing has worked to produce some of the most exciting and memorable boxing events in recent history. Star has continued to work with and develop a number of very exciting world champions, world rated contenders and young prospects. Star has consistently brought credibility, integrity, and exciting fights to the boxing industry. For more information on Star Boxing, visit their official website at www.StarBoxing.com and follow them on twitter.com/starboxing and Facebook.com/starboxing